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Shelley

Bristol, UK

MH
Posts:693

03/20/2010 11:42 AM
Ok so today and yesterday Hogan has been "playing up" - peeing in the house (blatently in front of me looking straight at me), barking a lot (especially when asking for commands), refusing to do commands. This morning he growled at Luke . He's now started peeing in the porch - he doesn't even go so far as the garden!!! This afternoon he didn't pee in the garden and peed in the porch on the way back in!! Little tyke!!! I'm racking my brains as to what it could be - if anything could be wrong. His ears seemed to be pretty much cleared up now, so it's not that. He hasn't fussed his paws or tail for a while so not that. The only different thing - we have now begun to allow him on the sofa with us, when we invite him up. Now, I apologise for putting human emotions on a puppy, but do you think it's possible this may have given him an "ego trip" of some sort? Luke usually sits on the floor (out of choice) so maybe Hogan now thinks he is becoming equal to us and dominant over Luke (hence the growl). Any opinions much appreciated

Phillyo118 User is Offline

MH
Posts:664

03/20/2010 12:14 PM
Bentley went through a stage at about that age, we just continued with what we were doing, correcting him and making him go outside and he got over it pretty quick. I think he was kind of testing the ground, seeing if you're capable to be the Alpha etc. Keep correcting him, be firm but understanding and don't let him get away with it. Keep him on the floor until he proves he can control himself again. Good luck!!

"From the dog's point of view, his master is an elongated and abnormally cunning dog." "My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am."

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:6748

03/20/2010 12:15 PM
So I think two things are going on here. First Hogan is still a puppy and second you have some really rainy cold weather the last few days. So even though Hogan has been an exceptional puppy, they still have their days when the devil in them comes out and they try our patience. That coupled with any changes in his routine because of weather are probably the culprit. I would continue with as normal a routine as possible. If you catch him in the act of peeing where he isn't supposed to fuss at him and grab him up and put him outside. Just like when house breaking. Don't give him a chance to pee on the porch, take him out into the garden and then let him go. Boys will be boys and they tend to pee in places where little girls would never think to pee (i.e. the porch). So, let him know that is not appropriate. As for the barking, put a stop to that now. I would get some bitter apple (can be found at pet stores in the US) and squirt him with it in his mouth when he barks. It won't hurt him, but it tastes nasty (don't try it to see, just trust me LOL). One or two times and he will figure it out really fast. You can also use it if he starts chewing on something he is not supposed to as it doesn't stain are hurt furniture. As for getting on the furniture, maybe, but I doubt it. All of mine get on my sofas, chairs and the bed with no problems. But they are allowed only with my permission. And you are right, don't attribute human emotions and thinking to the dog, because guaranteed he is not thinking like you. I think he is just testing his boundaries a little bit, so let him know and reinforce those boundaries. Also, he will test you more in the coming months so the best advice is be consistent and don't let him get to you. When he starts loosing his puppy teeth in the next month or so he will be putting his mouth on everything, just be prepared with lots of things he can chew on. And when he hits about a year he will go through a phase of forgetting everything and you will wonder where your good puppy went to. He is still there, so just keep on training right through it. In fact, just keep training and stay consistent through all the phases. Good luck, and remember they always outgrow these phases eventually.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

carlower1

Kansas

MH
Posts:1253

03/20/2010 4:18 PM
Welcome to the Puppy Stupids.. there comes a time during your training process that they get these bugs up their butts and decided they are going to take control and do anything to see how mad they can get you. Now is the time you have to be most diligent about your consistency. Carrie

Splat

Illinois (Northern)

MH
Posts:2438

03/21/2010 5:24 AM
I second what Bev said....make sure in mid pee you scoop him up and put him out where you want him going....If it keeps going does anyone think it could be a bladder infection? If he was on antibiotics for his ears maybe the antibiotics caused something else in his system to go wrong, antibiotics are a crazy medicine it kills off all "bugs" in your bodies system even the good ones, that why they have come out with probiotics now...any way I am rambling and basically just thought you might want to check the bladder infection if you can't get him to stop peeing in the house... We just got snow yesterday after having high 60 degree weather all last week...so when I let the dogs out in the morning (straight from their kennels all night) Donner went onto the deck and pooped there!

http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=2553 http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=2554

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